Dear Trekkers, Saunterers, Pathfinders, Asylum Seekers, Friends, and Family:At the Community of Pilgrims’ Steering Team meeting Wednesday night, we figured out our “elevator speech”. We are an intentional Christian community, in which we practice service and fellowship, worship and prayer, and education and discipleship, as we follow Jesus, and embrace all.” There is much to unpack here, but it is a beginning!

So let the unpacking begin. By saying “as we follow Jesus,” what does that mean? In the focus Scripture this week, Eph. 4:25-5:2, there is this wonderful challenge to the Christian community in Ephesus, and us today: be imitators of God! In Jesus, we see and hear and feel God’s love. In this passage, a new standard has been set, setting the “bar” high as we are called out to imitate the love of God in Christ in the world, which hungers for such love. This is the love of neighbor as Jesus called us to love, or “live in love” (5:2), and that the love of Christ dwell in our hearts (3:17). This love of God makes a big difference as we make our way in the world that does not know such love. Join us this Sunday as we explore the art and practice of being imitators of God in the world today!____

Sunday, Aug. 12, 4-6 pm, we will gather and worship and share a potluck together at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church!

Thur., Aug. 16-Sunday, Aug. 19, Pastor Brett will be theologian-in-residence at Camp Hope on the OR Coast (Camp Magruder), which is a camp for people with intellectual disabilities. Worship will still “happen”, from 4-6 pm at Rose City Park on Aug. 19.

Fri., Aug. 24-Wed., Aug. 29, Pastor Brett will be staff for “Listening with Open Hearts” Conference for the United Methodist Church at Collins Retreat Center. Again, we will gather together on Aug. 26 for worship.

**Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, we are excited about celebrating the first anniversary of the Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018! On our first Sunday, 31 people joined us! Come join us again for a special anniversary Sunday, when we hope to have 32 people join us!**____

Requests

*Regarding the t-shirts: Please pick up your t-shirt this Sunday, and bring cash or a check made out to Community of Pilgrims, in the amount of $8 for adult M,L, and XL, and youth; and $12 for adult 2XL. Thank you! ____

Poem

“As Imperceptibly As Grief” by Emily Dickinson

As imperceptibly as GriefThe Summer lapsed away –Too imperceptible at lastTo seem like Perfidy –A Quietness distilledAs Twilight long begun,Or Nature spending with herselfSequestered Afternoon –The Dusk drew earlier in –The Morning foreign shone –A courteous, yet harrowing Grace,As Guest, that would be gone –And thus, without a WingOr service of a KeelOur Summer made her light escapeInto the Beautiful.____